Packaging tray



Dec. 7, 1965 R. E. RENY 3,221,971

PACKAGING TRAY Filed Jan. 2, 1964 fl L'ckmdzizzm BY M ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent Cfifice 3,221,971 Patented Dec, 7, 1965 3,221,971PACKAGING TRAY Richard E. Reny, 3 Beverly Gardens, Bronxville, N.Y.Filed Jan. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 335,202 10 Claims. (Cl. 229-25) Thisinvention relates to packaging trays, and more particularly to a moldedpulp tray for packaging small consumer quantities of fruits, vegetables,bulk produce and the like.

Prior molded pulp packaging trays having upstanding side walls or edgeshave the disadvantage, from the consumer point of view, of preventingcritical examination of the tray contents. Reduction in side wall oredge height has generally avoided this problem while resulting in areduction of the quantity of pulp required for forming the tray but hassuffered from the disadvantage of inadequate lateral support for thepackaged articles with consequential package failure and damage to thecontents thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amolded pulp packaging tray involving a considerable saving in pulpmaterial coupled with increased visibility of the articles packaged inthe tray, as well as increased lateral support for articles packaged inthe tray.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a molded pulppackaging tray comprising a substantially flat base or bottom with aplurality of upwardly curving fingers around the edge which are spacedto provide lateral support for the articles while at the same timepermitting increased visibility of the lower portions of such articles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a scalloped edgetray wherein the upright fingers are greatly strengthened againstlateral forces by means of contoured depressions molded integrally withthe tray.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a scalloped edgetray adapted to support articles in conjunction with a flexibleoverwrap.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereinsimilar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a molded pulp packaging tray according to thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of a tray of thisinvention containing eight articles fully overwrapped by fiexibletransparent film;

FIG. 7 is a perspective View on a reduced scale of the tray of FIG. 1containing six articles overwrapped by a sleeve of flexible transparentfilm;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a molded pulp packaging tray of modifiedconfiguration; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a molded pulp packaging tray of yetanother configuration.

Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of molded pulppackaging tray 10 according to this invention is illustrated in FIGS.1-5. Such a tray 10 comprises a substantially flat and rigid bottomportion 12 of generally rectangular shape, the underlying surface of thebottom portion 12 being suitable as an anchor surface for adhering theends of overwrap film.

Around the periphery of the bottom portion 12 are a plurality of fingers18 which curve upwardly therefrom and extend a substantial distanceabove the plane of the bottom portion to provide lateral support forarticles resting on the tray. The arrangement of the spaced fingers issuch that, as can be seen from the drawings, a scallop-like perimeter oredge is provided for the pack aging tray. From the drawings, it will benoted that the lateral boundary of the bottom portion 12 may, ifdesired, curve upwardly slightly as at 14 in the openings or spaces 16between the fingers to provide additional support for certain types ofarticles. Aside from the utility and other improved results obtained bysuch construction, the important aspect of a shape generally pleasing tothe average consumer eye is derived by such construction.

It will be noted that the tray of FIGS. 1 through 5 has the fingers 18at the four corners thereof extending somewhat higher (FIG. 2) above theplane of the bottom portion 12 than the fingers 18 along the sides ofthe tray. This high ended arrangement is particularly desirable whenarticles positioned on the tray are to be overwrapped by open-endsleeves of flexible film which may not provide adequate lateral supportat the ends of the tray. Additionally, the corner fingers 18 of such atray project laterally somewhat further (FIG. 1) than the fingers 18along the sides of the tray in the preferred embodiment.

Associated with each upstanding finger 18 is a depression 20 including acurved wall portion integrally merging with the tray 10, but beingessentially of dissimilar curvature to afford increased rigidity of thefinger portion in relation to the bottom portion. Each depression 20takes the form of a dimple or recession protruding or depressed from thegeneral contour of the tray. The upper portion of each depression, ascan best be seen from FIG. 3, merges in a generally tangential mannerwith the upper portion of the side wall finger 18; similarly, the lowerportion of the depression merges with the flat bottom portion 12 of thetray. On each side of each generally oval shaped depression 20, as seenin FIG. 5, the curved wall thereof blends or merges with the generalshape of each upstanding finger 18. This compound curvature or roundedshape of each depression provides increased stability in all directions.While the depressions are illustrated as extending outwardly of thegeneral confines of the container, inwardly extending depressions arecontemplated for certain articles to provide the additional function ofspacing articles on the tray. The corner or end fingers 18, which arehigher than the side fingers in the preferred embodiment, includedepressions 20 which are of proportionately increased size. Thecross-sectional thickness of the molded pulp is substantially constantthroughout the entire tray including the fiat bottom, upstanding fingersand strengthening depressions.

Around the periphery of the tray 10 following the scallop-like curvatureof the fingers is a slightly thickened stacking bead 22 having an outersurface 24 occupying a plane substantially perpendicular to the majorplane of the bottom portion 12. An overhanging shoulder 26 formed by thebead 22 is utilized in known manner for supporting the tray on a stackof trays, and the upper surface 28 formed by the head 22 serves tosupport other trays thereabove in a stack prior to packaging.

In FIG. 8, a modified configuration of molded pulp packaging tray 30according to this invention is illustrated. This tray is of generallyrectangular shape, but is considerably elongated over the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. The desired number of upstandingfingers, each including a strengthening depression, may be provideddepending upon the length of the tray and the type of article to bepackaged therein. In this embodiment, the upstanding fingers at the.ends of the tray have a width which carries them fully around the trayends, and they are higher than the fingers along the sides of the tray.This tray is adapted for packing a single row of articles such astomatoes or apples.

In FIG. 9, yet another configuration of molded pulp packaging tray 32for fruit or other produce according to this invention is illustrated.This tray is of generally rectangular shape, again having the staggeredarrangement of fingers in scallop-like array, with a strengtheningdepression for each finger. The fingers all extend the same height abovethe bottom portion of the tray, and the upward curvature between theupstanding fingers is extremely slight. The fingers along the sides ofthe tray extend farther laterally than do the four corner fingers. Ribmeans 34 provided on the bottom portion may be molded integrally in thetray during manufacture to facilitate the placing of articles in thetray, and to insure their remaining properly positioned duringtransportation.

In use, the molded pulp packaging tray of this invention may be filledwith an assortment of articles including fruit, beans, ear corn, and thelike. For instance, in FIG. 6, eight generally spherical articles arepositioned on the bottom of a tray like the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment, oneadjacent each upstanding finger. This provides utmost lateral supportfor the articles. In FIG. 7, on the other hand, a tray like the FIGS.1-5, embodiment has been filled with only six generally sphericalarticles of somewhat increased size. In this instance, the articles arepositioned adjacent the openings to extend between fingers slightlybeyond the lateral confines of the tray for utmost visibility.

After articles or other produce have been positioned on the tray in thedesired manner, flexible overwraps of any known variety may be appliedto protect the articles as well as secure them in position on the tray.In FIG. 6, the flexible overwrap 38 is folded down on all four sides andadhered to the underlying surface of the bottom portion of the tray inknown manner. In FIG. 7, the flexible overwrap 40 is of the sleeve oropen-ended variety either heat shrunk around the articles in the tray orotherwise adhered to the underlying surfaces of the bottom portion ofthe tray. Other types of overwraps, it will be apparent, eithertransparent or opaque, with or without advertising or other markings,and with or without ventilation perforations, may be utilized with themolded pulp packaging tray of this invention.

Thus, an improved packaging tray has been disclosed which effects asubstantial pulp material saving as compared with known straight edgewalled trays. Furthermore, the visibility of articles packed in thedisclosed trays is increased without sacrifice of lateral support as aresultof the strengthening depressions associated with each finger. Theopenings between fingers facilitate access to the articles on the trayfor manually orienting them prior to overwrapping. Also, thescallop-like border of the tray provides a firm support for overwrappingfilm which enables the film to be stretched tighter along certain linesbetween articles, as will be clear, to provide additional separation ofarticles on the tray to prevent damage during shipment. The depressions,as well as providing extreme .rigidityto the upstanding fingers whenarticles are positioned on the tray, also provided support for thefingers to minimize warping and sagging during manufacture of the traywhile the wet molded pulp tray is being dried. Finally, when articlesare packaged with a cheek adjacent each upstanding finger, thedepression associated with the finger may serve an additional purpose ofproviding pocket or recess means to prevent the article from shiftingduring transportation and damaging other articles.

While the above described embodiments constitute preferred modes ofpracticing the present invention, other embodiments may be resorted towithin the scope of the actual invention which is defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A packaging tray comprising a bottom portion, a plurality of fingerportions spaced from one another around the periphery of the bottomportion in scalloplike array, the finger portions being formedintegrally with the bottom portion and curving upwardly there from toprovide side support for articles resting on the bottom portion, anddepressions integrally molded at the base of each of the fingerportions, each depression including a curved wall portion integrallymerging with the tray but being essentially of dissimilar curvature.

2. A packaging tray as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bottom portionis of generally rectangular shape with a single finger extending fullyaround each of the two ends thereof.

3. A molded pulp packaging tray for supporting articles in conjunctionwith a flexible overwrap comprising a substantially rigid bottomportion, the underside of which may serve as an anchor surface for theflexible overwrap, a plurality of finger portions spaced from oneanother around the periphery of the bottom portion in scallop-likearray, the finger portions being formed integrally with the bottomportion and curving upwardly therefrom to provide side support forarticles restmg on thebottom portion, and depressions integrally moldedat the base of each of the finger portions, each depressron including acurved wall portion integrally merging with the tray but beingessentially of dissimilar curvature to afford increased rigidity of thefinger portions.

4. A molded pulp packaging tray for supporting articles comprising agenerally fiat and substantially rigid bottom portion serving as anunderlying support for artlcles, a scallop-like edge around the bottomportion forming plural upwardly curving finger portions to provide s desupport for articles as well as to increase the visibility of the lowerportion of articles packaged in the tray, and depressions integrallymolded at the base of each of the finger portions, each depressionincluding a curved wall portion integrally merging with the tray butbeing essentially of dissimilar curvature to afford increased rigidityof the finger portion in relation to the bottom portion.

5. A molded pulp packaging tray as set forth in claim 4 wherein thegenerally flat bottom portion includes ridge means formed thereon tofacilitate spacing articles on the tray.

6. A molded pulp packaging tray as set forth in claim 4 wherein thescallop-like edge includes a continuous surface substantially normal tothe plane of the bottom portion.

7. A molded pulp packaging tray as set forth in claim 4 wherein the wallportion of each depression is curved in generally rounded fashion tobulge outside the general contours of the tray adjacent the bottomportion.

8. A molded pulp packaging tray as set forth in claim 7 wherein thebottom portion is of generally rectangular shape, and wherein theupstanding finger portions at the ends of the rectangular shape extendhigher thereabove than the finger portions along the sides of therecular h pe.

7 wherein the bottom portion is of generally rectangular shape with anupstanding finger portion at each corner, and wherein the four cornerfinger portions extend higher above the bottom portions than the fingerportions along the sides of the rectangular shape.

19. A molded pulp packaging tray as set forth in claim 7 wherein thebottom portion is of generally rectangular shape, and wherein theupstanding finger portions at the ends of the rectangular shape extendfarther laterally of the tray than the finger portions along the sidesof the rectangular shape.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Seez 22930 Benoit22929 Balier 206-45.33

Hotch 2292.5

Lurie 22072 Kennedy 20645.33 Bostron 22072 GEORGE O. RALSTON, PrimaryExaminer.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

1. A PACKAGING TRAY COMPRISING A BOTTOM PORTION, A PLURALITY OF FINGERPORTIONS SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF THE BOTTOMPORTION IN SCALLOPLIKE ARRAY, THE FINGER PORTIONS BEING FORMEDINTEGRALLY WITH THE BOTTOM PORTION AND CURVING UPWARDLY THERE FROM THEPROVIDE SIDE SUPPORT FOR ARTICLES RESTING ON THE BOTTOM PORTION, ANDDEPRESSIONS INTEGRALLY MOLDED AT